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Wont start every time! help!

privetryan89

Well-Known Member
Joined
September 7, 2007
Messages
138
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City, State
Pa
Year, Model & Trim Level
'98 XLT 4.0 SOHC
Sometimes it will start other times it will not. Just installed a new alternator because the volt regulator was bad but the car was doing this before i replaced it. Battery reads 12.50 volts. Checked the fuel relief valve and fuel shot out every time i checked it so the engine it getting fuel. If I spray some starter fluid in the valve body the car starts and runs till the starter fluid is gone and then dies. I have no idea what's going on.
 



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Sounds like a fuel delivery issue, if it starts right up with starter fluid.

I'd check the common culprits.. fuses, fuel filter, fuel pump first.

If you have a pepboys near buy, I understand that they rent tools. Maybe you can rent a pressure meter for the fuel rail to make sure that your fuel pump is working.

If that's OK, them maybe it's you ECU not telling your injectors to open. Having to replace your computer if probably worst case scenario.
 






It would appear from your "test" that fuelling is the issue... however, your "test" appears to indicate that fuel is be "delivered" to the rail... BUT it is likely not getting further.... why??? check for voltage at your injectors. lastly, AFTER a "no start" attempt, without doing anything (ie. no sprays), "replug" your cam position sensor and retry the start.
 






If you stay on the accelerator will it keep running? I just had a very similar problem with my truck and it turned out to be the Idle Air Controller. Not sure if that's your problem but it wouldn't hurt to check it out. To get mine started I took a small hammer and tapped it VERY LIGHTLY a few times and it fired right up.
 






Bought a fuel pressure gauge today. Its about 10 PSI lower then its suppose to be. Which means the pump isn't working properly. Also, turns out that the pump is sending air thru the lines. Most likely the check valve is bad.

How hard it it to put a new pump in?
 






Either you can drop the tank, or cut an access hole under the rear seat. Either one has a writeup if you run a quick search...
 






I had a similar-sounding problem with my '95 Ex. Sometimes I'd have to twist the key 20 or more times to get the engine to fire. Had this problem practically from the first week I owned the vehicle, but it didn't start getting really bad until this past summer. Finally took it to an automotive electrical shop to have it diagnosed. The shop reported two possible problems: bad starter relay (which they replaced) or bad EEC relay (which they did not, but told me that it could be a problem in the future). The vehicle now starts EVERY time I turn the key, and I couldn't be happier....
 






I had a similar-sounding problem with my '95 Ex. Sometimes I'd have to twist the key 20 or more times to get the engine to fire.

His is turning over, it's just not turning on.
 






it was the fuel pump. I did the hole idea. who ever thought of that was a genius.
 






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